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Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again
Humpty Dumpty used to love climbing, but after his big fall his confidence is shattered. The doctor can fix his shell, but how will he get his nerve back? When one of the King?s horses gets stuck on a cliff, Humpty has a chance to show the world what a resilient egg he can be. Dave Horowitz creates a wholly original tale and cleverly mixes in lots of beloved nursery rhyme characters in a story that celebrates his love of climbing.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2008
About the author
Dave Horowitz
26 books24 followersMy name is dave horowitz. I grew up in Smithtown, New York in the 1970s. Instead of paying attention in school I drew pictures of my teachers. Then I went to a famous art college in Rhode Island and studied coloring.
In 1992 I graduated and went to Oregon to play drums and drink coffee. Then I moved to New York City and worked next door to the Twin Towers. Then I learned how to climb rocks and got fired.
Then I climbed rocks.
I moved up to the Hudson Valley and then to California and then to New Hampshire and then back to the Hudson Valley. Then I got a job as a “professional” rock climber. Then I got too old for that.
I still live in the Hudson Valley where I write and illustrate picture books. Also, I'm a paramedic. So far so good…
In 1992 I graduated and went to Oregon to play drums and drink coffee. Then I moved to New York City and worked next door to the Twin Towers. Then I learned how to climb rocks and got fired.
Then I climbed rocks.
I moved up to the Hudson Valley and then to California and then to New Hampshire and then back to the Hudson Valley. Then I got a job as a “professional” rock climber. Then I got too old for that.
I still live in the Hudson Valley where I write and illustrate picture books. Also, I'm a paramedic. So far so good…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
June 15, 2018
After Humpty has a great fall, his doctor warns him to be more careful, so our ovoid pal stays at home in front of the TV. Various Mother Goose pals try to get him to take chances, and get back on that horse wall again.
I read this one in honor of brave daredevils everywhere.
I read this one in honor of brave daredevils everywhere.
February 4, 2013
It's nice to see Humpty Dumpty get some respect in this version. I found the story humorous and engaging, even though I don't think it's destined to be a favorite. It was clever how some other nursery rhyme characters made an appearance (I chuckled at the "along came a spider" and "the little dog laughed" bits). Beneath the funny exterior, I also think it presents a thoughtful message about how we need to have passions and special hobbies and interests in our lives and could even perhaps help a child understand about an elderly relative or someone who is struggling with a new injury or disability to show how they might be feeling lost without being able to do things they used to enjoy. (Note that there is some mild "potty humor" like Humpty Dumpty going around in his underwear.)
October 27, 2019
Nursery rhyme hero Humpty Dumpty experiences some post-traumatic stress in this revisionist take on his classic poem - "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, / Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. / All the king's horses and all the king's men / Couldn't put Humpty together again" - refusing to carry on with his climbing hobby after a particularly nasty fall shatters his shell. Becoming something of a couch potato, he ignores his friend Dish (of the famous Dish and Spoon duo), and only leaves his house when a spider (being done with Miss Muffet for the time being) comes along and frightens him into running outdoors. Making his way toward the hills, Humpty discovers that one of the King's Horses has gotten stuck on a cliff, and suddenly finds the courage to climb again, coming to the rescue and proving that he is still the daring egg that everyone had thought him to be...
Chosen as one of our February selections over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme was "Fractured Nursery Rhymes," Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again is an entertaining examination of what happens after our egg hero takes his famous fall. I appreciated the way Dave Horowitz worked other nursery rhyme characters into his tale, and thought the cartoon-style artwork was well suited to the story, accentuating the humor in the text. I'll be curious to see how this compares to another revisionist take on Humpty's story, Jeanie Franz Ransom's What REALLY Happened to Humpty?: From the Files of a Hard-Boiled Detective , which was also chosen as a selection for February.
Chosen as one of our February selections over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme was "Fractured Nursery Rhymes," Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again is an entertaining examination of what happens after our egg hero takes his famous fall. I appreciated the way Dave Horowitz worked other nursery rhyme characters into his tale, and thought the cartoon-style artwork was well suited to the story, accentuating the humor in the text. I'll be curious to see how this compares to another revisionist take on Humpty's story, Jeanie Franz Ransom's What REALLY Happened to Humpty?: From the Files of a Hard-Boiled Detective , which was also chosen as a selection for February.
February 2, 2013
Horowitz’ rendition of Humpty Dumpty has some “potty-like” humor. For example, butt and underwear. It is not overly raunchy but worth mentioning. Moving on…Horowitz’ characterization of Humpty Dumpty seems to offer the egg some respect. He is typically viewed as a clumsy or “dumb” for falling off the wall but in this book he is brave, courageous, and overcomes a setback. The illustrations are simple, dull-colored, and humorous to some degree but the text is the star here. I am neutral in my liking of this book but I do think that many children and adults will enjoy the humor and sense of empowerment provided in this story.
*Horowitz also did a nice of job of incorporating tidbits from other rhymes and tales into the plot...I think I'll bump my rating up to 3 stars from 2.
*Horowitz also did a nice of job of incorporating tidbits from other rhymes and tales into the plot...I think I'll bump my rating up to 3 stars from 2.
February 13, 2013
With an inspirational message and cartoonish illustrations (including an egg wearing underpants), this is a good story for elementary school age students. Our girls giggled at the sight of Humpty in his undies and I liked that he found a way to overcome his fear.
I think that the book will appeal to older children who have grown out of nursery rhymes, but enjoy the nostalgic nod to a familiar character. The story is entertaining to read aloud, and we really enjoyed reading this book together.
This story was selected as one of the books for the February 2013 - Fractured / Alternative Mother Goose discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
I think that the book will appeal to older children who have grown out of nursery rhymes, but enjoy the nostalgic nod to a familiar character. The story is entertaining to read aloud, and we really enjoyed reading this book together.
This story was selected as one of the books for the February 2013 - Fractured / Alternative Mother Goose discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
October 10, 2019
This is a humorous nursery rhyme spin off story of Humpty Dumpty getting back up there after his accident at the wall.
July 31, 2013
Read my full review at wadingthoughbooks.wordpress.com!
This is a lovely continuation of the nursery rhyme, beginning with someone finally being sensible enough to call a doctor to put Humpty Dumpty back together again–though did not one of the king’s horses or the king’s men have any first aid training? The Health and Safety committee is falling down on their job too, I’d say. There are some nice references to other nursery rhymes too, such as including the Dish and the Spoon, the laughing Little Dog, and the scary Spider. The illustrations are large, bright, simple, and add some funny, if immature, jokes that will entertain kids. For example, when Humpty is broken, one of the king’s men holds up a piece of Humpty and asks “What is this?” and the other king’s man says “I think it’s his butt.” The adults reading it will laugh at the king’s men bemoaning “Oh the humanity” when Milt the horse is stuck on the wall, and when Humpty promises never to climb without safety equipment or pants again. There’s also some nice details in Humpty’s house, with photographs on the wall of him climbing lots of different mountains.
This book is probably more for an adult to read to a child–all of the words are the same size and set in short paragraphs, and some of the vocabulary might be a bit difficult for a beginning reader. Most kids will recognize the different nursery rhymes referenced, so the adult reader can use those to draw connections between books, and to demonstrate how stories can continue outside of the single text–what happens next after “they all lived happily ever after.” It can also be used to point out that just because something bad happens is no reason to quit doing something you love–just be more careful in the future. And always wear pants. Pants are important.
This is a lovely continuation of the nursery rhyme, beginning with someone finally being sensible enough to call a doctor to put Humpty Dumpty back together again–though did not one of the king’s horses or the king’s men have any first aid training? The Health and Safety committee is falling down on their job too, I’d say. There are some nice references to other nursery rhymes too, such as including the Dish and the Spoon, the laughing Little Dog, and the scary Spider. The illustrations are large, bright, simple, and add some funny, if immature, jokes that will entertain kids. For example, when Humpty is broken, one of the king’s men holds up a piece of Humpty and asks “What is this?” and the other king’s man says “I think it’s his butt.” The adults reading it will laugh at the king’s men bemoaning “Oh the humanity” when Milt the horse is stuck on the wall, and when Humpty promises never to climb without safety equipment or pants again. There’s also some nice details in Humpty’s house, with photographs on the wall of him climbing lots of different mountains.
This book is probably more for an adult to read to a child–all of the words are the same size and set in short paragraphs, and some of the vocabulary might be a bit difficult for a beginning reader. Most kids will recognize the different nursery rhymes referenced, so the adult reader can use those to draw connections between books, and to demonstrate how stories can continue outside of the single text–what happens next after “they all lived happily ever after.” It can also be used to point out that just because something bad happens is no reason to quit doing something you love–just be more careful in the future. And always wear pants. Pants are important.
February 11, 2017
I absolutely love this book. I read it to the fourth grade class I substituted in yesterday and they loved it. They laughed and I had everyone's attention as we read and talked about this story. They wanted to read it again immediately. As it is the public library's book and I have to return it, I might have to buy a copy and carry it with me when I sub in other classrooms as I think other students will enjoy it also. Fun pictures and a great story line make this humorous story something you will remember.
Poor Humpty! We all know he got a bad rap when he fell down and no one could put him back together again but in this story we can thank the King's horse. The horse called the doctor and he was able to put Humpty back together. But, Humpty doesn't want to climb walls any more and well, Humpty isn't Humpty if he doesn't climb walls so he just sits around watching TV and people make fun of him (I do believe this is called bullying- which is a lesson in itself). He has visitors from other nursery rhymes but the poor guy just is not himself. Everyone wants the old Humpty Dumpty back but can anything get him off his chair and away from the TV?
Poor Humpty! We all know he got a bad rap when he fell down and no one could put him back together again but in this story we can thank the King's horse. The horse called the doctor and he was able to put Humpty back together. But, Humpty doesn't want to climb walls any more and well, Humpty isn't Humpty if he doesn't climb walls so he just sits around watching TV and people make fun of him (I do believe this is called bullying- which is a lesson in itself). He has visitors from other nursery rhymes but the poor guy just is not himself. Everyone wants the old Humpty Dumpty back but can anything get him off his chair and away from the TV?
March 9, 2020
Very cute twist on a classic.
November 20, 2017
Summary: this story is about humpty dumpty who is humiliated. All the king’s horses and men make fun of him for falling off the wall. He just sits on his chair in his underwear watching television and is determined to never climb another wall. This is until his friend needs help.
Mentor wiring trait: This book writing trait is ideas. The author does a great job about getting his ideas and main message across to the readers. With a little humor along the way, I think this is a great story to teach multiple meanings to your children.
Classroom integration: I cannot tell you how many meanings this story has. This would be great to introduce to your class and have the children choose a meaning and write about it or add their own twist to the story. One of the meanings from this story is about how if you fail once you should always get up and try again. Another meaning is you should NEVER make fun of someone because you might not know, or you might not realize how valuable they are. It is also about bravery. This would also be great to use in science class. At the begging of the story, Humpty Dumpty falls off the wall and breaks – you could introduce this in a science class and have kids figure out a type of protected material they could put around the egg to keep it from breaking. This would be a great experiment for trial and error.
Reading level: 2.8
Mentor wiring trait: This book writing trait is ideas. The author does a great job about getting his ideas and main message across to the readers. With a little humor along the way, I think this is a great story to teach multiple meanings to your children.
Classroom integration: I cannot tell you how many meanings this story has. This would be great to introduce to your class and have the children choose a meaning and write about it or add their own twist to the story. One of the meanings from this story is about how if you fail once you should always get up and try again. Another meaning is you should NEVER make fun of someone because you might not know, or you might not realize how valuable they are. It is also about bravery. This would also be great to use in science class. At the begging of the story, Humpty Dumpty falls off the wall and breaks – you could introduce this in a science class and have kids figure out a type of protected material they could put around the egg to keep it from breaking. This would be a great experiment for trial and error.
Reading level: 2.8
November 17, 2017
Humpty, Dumpty Climbs Again is an add-on to the original story of Humpty Dumpty. This egg fell after trying to climb a wall, and becomes so sad and frightened that he stays inside of his home all day. There is a play on other fairy tales like the dish and the spoon and they try to convince Humpty to come outside and be brave. One day, Humpty is sitting on the couch watching TV when a spider creeps down and frightens him out of the house. He then heads off for the hills until he reaches the wall that he fell off of previously. All the King's Men, who had been making fun of Humpty were at the wall upset because the King's horse had gotten stuck up the wall. Humpty then bravely begins to climb the wall, with the proper safety equipment, and saves the horse. All the King's men were so happy and admired Humpty for his bravery.
The theme of this book is perseverance and to never give up even if you are discouraged.
I connected to this book because I remember enjoying this fairy tale as I grew up and liking it's silly plot line. I liked this book and would read it to another one of my friends.
I recommend this book if the classroom is having a unit on fairy tales and the teacher could bring this book in as an example of a fractured fairy tale.
The theme of this book is perseverance and to never give up even if you are discouraged.
I connected to this book because I remember enjoying this fairy tale as I grew up and liking it's silly plot line. I liked this book and would read it to another one of my friends.
I recommend this book if the classroom is having a unit on fairy tales and the teacher could bring this book in as an example of a fractured fairy tale.
October 12, 2017
Summary:
Humpty Dumpty had a fall, where we was badly hurt. After the fall, he told to be more careful since he was an egg. He took this advice too seriously, and didn't want to go out and climb. One day he went out, and saw the guards and horses needed help. Trying to help, he climbed up the wall, and made it safe to the top.
Major Theme: Humpty Dumpty was scared to climb, until someone needed help he became brave and decided to climb again.
Personal Response:
Horseback riding there were many times I fell of the horse, but my trainer always made me get back up. This taught me not be afraid of falling, and that no matter how bad the fall was, I could always get back up. I think this book teaches a similar lesson in that fear should not stop you from doing what you love.
Recommend:
I think children can relate to being scared to do something because of a bad experience. This book can teach children that even though something bad happens, we have to be brave and continue doing what we love.
Humpty Dumpty had a fall, where we was badly hurt. After the fall, he told to be more careful since he was an egg. He took this advice too seriously, and didn't want to go out and climb. One day he went out, and saw the guards and horses needed help. Trying to help, he climbed up the wall, and made it safe to the top.
Major Theme: Humpty Dumpty was scared to climb, until someone needed help he became brave and decided to climb again.
Personal Response:
Horseback riding there were many times I fell of the horse, but my trainer always made me get back up. This taught me not be afraid of falling, and that no matter how bad the fall was, I could always get back up. I think this book teaches a similar lesson in that fear should not stop you from doing what you love.
Recommend:
I think children can relate to being scared to do something because of a bad experience. This book can teach children that even though something bad happens, we have to be brave and continue doing what we love.
Read
November 29, 2019Summary: Humpty Dumpty used to love climbing, but after his he fall his confidence is gone. The doctor can fix his shell, but he may not be able to get his nerve back? When one of the King?s horses gets stuck on a cliff, Humpty has a chance to show the world what a strong egg he can be.
Illustrator: Dave Horowitz
Evaluations of illustrations and text: The pictures are very cartoonish and it gives the egg a lot of personification because they have him as a human being, but as an egg. It is also a series of events that is combined like a comic book in a way.
strategies in the classroom: This book can be used to show students that even when you fall you can get up. And this would be a good strategy to show kids that they should be willing to help themselves and others even after a big fall.
Illustrator: Dave Horowitz
Evaluations of illustrations and text: The pictures are very cartoonish and it gives the egg a lot of personification because they have him as a human being, but as an egg. It is also a series of events that is combined like a comic book in a way.
strategies in the classroom: This book can be used to show students that even when you fall you can get up. And this would be a good strategy to show kids that they should be willing to help themselves and others even after a big fall.
May 16, 2019
This book doesn't have any awards. This book is appropriate for kindergarten. This book is about humpty dumpty being made fun of. He doesn't want to climb again so he stays in his chair inside. Until one day he has to climb again but with the proper equipment. I think this book is not better than the original. I wasn't really interested but it is a nice book. A possible use for this in class is when students are afraid to do something.
March 13, 2018
The genre of this book is traditional literature. One unique feature of this book is that it is a spin off of the original Humpty Dumpty book so children will most likely be familiar with this book. I think this book could be used for grades 1st-4th.
June 24, 2017
BL 2.8
0.5 pts
0.5 pts
May 15, 2018
I loved how different nursery rhyme characters came to see Humpty Dumpty. Very fun and rhythmic book.
September 5, 2018
This silly story puts a hipper (and braver) spin on the old Humpty Dumpty story. Kids who are fans of the climbing wall at the playground will get a kick out of this one.
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July 17, 2019great book.
August 3, 2021
Super cute and silly! A great read for little ones.
September 4, 2021
This was a real cute story.
Read
December 1, 2021delightful nursery rhyme splicing!
January 20, 2023
The egg wears underpants throughout. Hilarity ensured for me and a four year old reader. Great story of perseverance.
June 10, 2024
It made me giggle several times. It was clever and we loved reading it together.
September 25, 2024
Pediatrust: 09/25/24 -TG
October 22, 2024
Cute, funny, doesn’t hold a candle to After The Fall though
July 4, 2025
Really nice book . My cousin really love to read
July 7, 2025
Humpty Dumpty has a great fall and other nursery rhyme friends come to cheer him up. when the little spider from Little Miss muffet scares him out he finds that he can be of use with his skills.
May 12, 2015
(Traditional Literature)
Humpty Dumumpty Climbs again is a book that got me laughing. Most people know the real story of Humpty Dumpty, but i found this version better. This version is about him falling off the wall. After he fell off he had to go see a doctor. Every since then he never climbed a wall again. All the people made fun of him for falling. So he just sat inside watching TV in his underwear. He then found courage to go climb again, but realized he was going to do more than that. He end up saying a persons horse, even after those people made fun of him. Humpty Dumpty was just smart that time and bright safety gear.
This book shows children to never give up, just because they made a mistake. Sometimes it takes more than one try to get things right. It also teaching the reader to not worry about what others think about them. The only way to prove it to those people is by getting up and trying again. That's what Humpty Dumpty does in this book, he proves everyone wrong. The reason I would make this book a whole class read is because children need to see that anything is possible if they get up and try again.
Humpty Dumumpty Climbs again is a book that got me laughing. Most people know the real story of Humpty Dumpty, but i found this version better. This version is about him falling off the wall. After he fell off he had to go see a doctor. Every since then he never climbed a wall again. All the people made fun of him for falling. So he just sat inside watching TV in his underwear. He then found courage to go climb again, but realized he was going to do more than that. He end up saying a persons horse, even after those people made fun of him. Humpty Dumpty was just smart that time and bright safety gear.
This book shows children to never give up, just because they made a mistake. Sometimes it takes more than one try to get things right. It also teaching the reader to not worry about what others think about them. The only way to prove it to those people is by getting up and trying again. That's what Humpty Dumpty does in this book, he proves everyone wrong. The reason I would make this book a whole class read is because children need to see that anything is possible if they get up and try again.
March 13, 2013
Thank goodness someone at Humpty Dumpty's accident had the sense to call the doctor. Now that he's put back together again, Humpty Dumpty has given up climbing and does nothing but sit at home. One day, along came a spider and scared Humpty Dumpty outside. Now that Humpty is outside he decides to take a walk. He finds himself at the base of a mountain. Recognizing that someone on the mountain is trapped and can't get down, Humpty decides to climb and assist in the rescue.
"Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again" is appropriate for ages 3+.
After I finished the retold fairy tale assignment, I found this book and could not pass it up. This story contains a few small pieces from various fairy tales, creating a funny story that everyone will enjoy. I read this book with a few students and they could not stop laughing at a picture of Humpty Dumpty sitting at home watching TV in his underwear. I think this book delivers a message to readers that you should never give up on something just because you failed the first time.
"Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again" is appropriate for ages 3+.
After I finished the retold fairy tale assignment, I found this book and could not pass it up. This story contains a few small pieces from various fairy tales, creating a funny story that everyone will enjoy. I read this book with a few students and they could not stop laughing at a picture of Humpty Dumpty sitting at home watching TV in his underwear. I think this book delivers a message to readers that you should never give up on something just because you failed the first time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews